The ABSA Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) is a leading indicator of the economic health of South Africa's manufacturing sector. Based on surveys of purchasing managers, it tracks variables such as new orders, production levels, and employment. A reading above 50 indicates expansion in the sector, while a reading below 50 suggests contraction.
The index is a weighted average of five sub-indices: New Orders (30%), Output (25%), Employment (20%), Suppliers' Deliveries (15%), and Stock of Purchases (10%).
| Date | Actual | Forecast | Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2026 | — | 48.80 | — |
| Sep 1, 2026 | 45.80 | 47.00 | -1.20 |
| Aug 3, 2026 | 46.80 | 49.00 | -2.20 |
| Jul 1, 2026 | 47.30 | 50.30 | -3.00 |
| Jun 1, 2026 | 50.80 | 49.40 | +1.40 |
| May 4, 2026 | 52.60 | 46.70 | +5.90 |
| Apr 1, 2026 | 49.00 | 46.60 | +2.40 |
| Mar 2, 2026 | 47.40 | 49.00 | -1.60 |
| Feb 2, 2026 | 48.70 | 43.00 | +5.70 |
| Jan 8, 2026 | 40.50 | 44.00 | -3.50 |
| Dec 1, 2025 | 42.00 | 50.60 | -8.60 |
| Nov 3, 2025 | 49.20 | 49.70 | -0.50 |
| Oct 1, 2025 | 52.20 | 48.70 | +3.50 |
| Sep 1, 2025 | 49.50 | 50.50 | -1.00 |
| Aug 1, 2025 | 50.80 | 50.10 | +0.70 |
| Jul 1, 2025 | 48.50 | 44.00 | +4.50 |
| Jun 2, 2025 | 43.10 | 43.50 | -0.40 |
| May 2, 2025 | 44.70 | 47.50 | -2.80 |
| Apr 1, 2025 | 48.70 | 44.00 | +4.70 |
| Mar 3, 2025 | 44.70 | 43.00 | +1.70 |
| Feb 3, 2025 | 45.30 | 47.00 | -1.70 |
| Jan 8, 2025 | 46.20 | 51.80 | -5.60 |
| Dec 2, 2024 | 48.10 | 49.70 | -1.60 |
| Nov 1, 2024 | 52.60 | 50.60 | +2.00 |
| Oct 1, 2024 | 52.80 | 51.00 | +1.80 |
| Sep 2, 2024 | 43.60 | 53.00 | -9.40 |
| Aug 1, 2024 | 52.40 | 46.00 | +6.40 |
| Jul 1, 2024 | 45.70 | 49.50 | -3.80 |
| Jun 3, 2024 | 43.80 | 51.00 | -7.20 |
| May 2, 2024 | 54.00 | 49.50 | +4.50 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | 49.20 | 51.00 | -1.80 |
| Mar 1, 2024 | 51.70 | 43.20 | +8.50 |
| Feb 1, 2024 | 43.60 | 51.30 | -7.70 |
| Jan 8, 2024 | 50.90 | 47.00 | +3.90 |
| Dec 1, 2023 | 48.20 | 46.00 | +2.20 |
| Nov 1, 2023 | 45.40 | 43.00 | +2.40 |
| Oct 2, 2023 | 45.40 | 49.30 | -3.90 |
| Sep 1, 2023 | 49.70 | 47.00 | +2.70 |
| Aug 1, 2023 | 47.30 | 48.00 | -0.70 |
| Jul 3, 2023 | 47.60 | 48.90 | -1.30 |
| Jun 1, 2023 | 49.20 | 50.00 | -0.80 |
| May 2, 2023 | 49.80 | 47.80 | +2.00 |
| Apr 3, 2023 | 48.10 | 52.80 | -4.70 |
| Mar 1, 2023 | 48.80 | 51.70 | -2.90 |
| Feb 1, 2023 | 53.00 | 55.00 | -2.00 |
| Jan 6, 2023 | 53.10 | 53.00 | +0.10 |
| Dec 1, 2022 | 52.60 | 49.70 | +2.90 |
| Nov 1, 2022 | 50.00 | 47.00 | +3.00 |
| Oct 3, 2022 | 48.20 | 51.70 | -3.50 |
| Sep 1, 2022 | 52.10 | 49.00 | +3.10 |
| Aug 1, 2022 | 47.60 | 51.80 | -4.20 |
